CUDDALORE, OCT. 14. Call it Dalits' new-found assertion or aggression.
But,
the communally-sensitive Cuddalore district presents a refreshing
contrast
to villages in southern belt where Dalits fear to contest in wards
reserved
for them. Dalits in the district are not only fighting the reserved
seats in
panchayat elections, but also taking on the upper caste in general
wards
too.

If Melavalavu in Madurai district stands as a notorious symbol of caste
oppression, visit the Melkavarapattu hamlet near Panrutti for an
insight
into the growing might of Dalits. The hamlet, which has over 500
Dalits, has
always elected either a Muslim or a Vanniar as its panchayat president
so
far. And, Dalits here never dared to fight the election, though they
were in
a majority. For, it was not reserved for the SCs.

But this time round, Dalit youths in the village refused to be cowed
down by
either the Muslims or Vanniars. Defiantly, nine Dalits jumped into the
fray.
And the SCs asked the two Muslims who had filed nominations, to
withdraw
from the contest. When they showed reluctance, the Dalit youths warned
them
that they cannot step into their colonies to canvass for votes. And,
the
threat worked. The two contestants pulled out and so did eight other
Dalits
too, unanimously electing 47 year-old Mrs. T. Muthulakshmi, the first
Dalit
panchayat president of the village.

Muthulakshmi knows only to sign and does not know to read or write.
But, she
is determined to ensure that Dalit colonies in the village get proper
roads
and regular water supply. ``Why should we allow ourselves to be treated
like
bonded labourers. This time, we were determined to elect only a Dalit.
And,
we will not allow anyone else to become a panchayat president in the
future
too'' says 31-year-old Dharma, a mason. And, Muthulakshmi lugging her
grandchild, gives a confident grin. Dalits from the village are
contesting
for the panchayat union ward councillor too.

The story of Dalit assertion does not end in the tiny village of
Melkavarapattu. In several villages in Cuddalore, a stronghold of the
DPI,
Dalits are in a belligerent mood. They are not only contesting
non-reserved
seats, but some of them are also ``defiantly'' canvassing for votes in
the
`upper caste' areas too. And, particularly, in the panchayats and
panchayat
union wards reserved for women, the Dalits colonies are fielding its
candidates. ``As the local upper caste leaders file complaints of theft
against the Dalit men who show interest in contesting the election, we
have
decided to field women candidates,'' Dalit youths say.

In Sundaravandi village near Nellikuppam, three Dalit women have filed
nominations for the panchayat union councillor post , which is not
reserved
for Dalits. The Vanniars and Dalits are almost in equal numbers in the
village. Says 25-year-old R. Varalakshmi, one of the Dalit candidates:
``The
upper caster people are mounting indirect pressure on us to withdraw. A
few
candidates are trying to woo the Dalit voters by promising to build a
temple
in the village. But whether I win or lose, I am determined to
contest.'' For
about four hours in the evenings, she campaigns along with her husband
and
local women, but keeps off the ``upper caste colonies''.

However, in the neighbouring Thirumanikuzhi village, the two Dalit
women
contestants fearlessly canvass for votes in the Vanniar- dominant areas
too.
Says an elderly Vanniar, T. P. Ramalingam of the village: ``Dalits are
not
meek anymore. And, we have also come to terms with social reality. They
enter our temples and colonies. And, so we have allowed them to contest
in
non-reserved wards too.'' The fear of violence and yearning for social
harmony have certainly forced the upper caste to ``tolerate and
accept'' the
Dalits, if not consider them as equals.

And, what was remotely unthinkable in the last local bodies elections
is
happening now. In a few villages, Vanniars are canvassing for Dalit
candidates too. As a Dalit candidate, K.Sengeni, in Kuchipalayam near
Cuddalore walks along with Vanniar youths to campaign in an upper caste
strong-hold, it appears that the district which has the largest number
of
``untouchability atrocity-prone villages'' in the State, is preparing
for a
crucial social change.